2018 FT MBA Application Thread

Hoping to get a discussion started for the 2017 MBA application cycle.

How are you guys doing on preparation for ED/R1 apps? How many schools are you targeting, and in what ranges? Are you staggering your apps across ED/R1/R2?

Personally, I'm targeting CBS ED by the end of July, so that I have an answer mid to late August. If it's Yes, I don't have to apply anywhere else. If it's No, I'll do a post-mortem to inform my other apps.

Good luck all!

22 Comments
 

Hey! I'm applying for 5 R1 schools. I expect to convert at one of them, if not I have 3 "saved" for R2.

R1: H/S/W, Sloan, Haas R2: UCLA Anderson, Kellogg, Columbia

Stats: GMAT: 750 Undergrad: Top 30 "target" school, 3.0 GPA in Economics and Math Career: 3 years IB, 2.5 years corporate VC Post MBA goal: VC

Currently I'm getting started on essays, planning to ramp up later this month

Edit: I'm a 27 year old white woman

 

Hello,

Applying to R1 H/S/W

Stats: Demographics: 25 year old Asian male :( GMAT: 740 Undergrad: Canadian school, 3.9 in Math & minor in CS Career: 1.5yr T2 consulting, 2yrs GOOG/FB strategy Post-MBA goal: Entrepreneurship (software/high-tech)

Writing some outlines for my references now. Starting essays after.

 
Best Response

To be consistent with the MBA programs themselves, suggest renaming the thread to reflect the fact that the current MBA application cycle is for a 2018 entry. As for me:

Applying Round 1 to LBS, Oxford, Cambridge, and HEC Paris. Might apply to INSEAD if I can achieve the second language entry qualification in one year/can be bothered to prepare another application.

Stats: Demo: 27 year old caucasian male GMAT: 730 Undergrad: Canadian school, business degree in finance. 69.6% GPA/2.7 Equivalent Career: 3 years in commercial banking, 3 years in private equity Post MBA-goal: distressed investing at a PE firm or hedge fund

Currently writing essays, next step is references.

"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it." - George Bernard Shaw
 

Consider applying for some of those schools in Round 2 as you will find that some of the schools make their admission decisions much more quickly which will force you to make a decision (including very large deposit) before you have heard the outcome of some of your other applications. I believe all of these schools will publish an admissions timeline so compare that between all of the schools to make sure you don't end up in such a situation.

 

I got an email from LBS Ad Com stating that the essays aren't changing this year.

"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it." - George Bernard Shaw
 

Stats: Demographics: 26 year old Australian GMAT: TBD (have not yet sat) Undergrad: Combined Commerce and Science in IT (UTS) ~2.61 GPA Post-grad: Diploma in Chartered Accounting; now qualified. Career: ~7-8 years experience: 5 years in M&A Consulting at Big 4 (started as grad, now Manager); ~3 years full-time in public corporations and start-ups during my 4 year undergrad (hence the crappy GPA); Post-MBA goal: Move upstream toward Strategy consulting (Deal Strategy specifically), corporate finance, work in US/UK and be across more complex M&A deals then eventually launch my own consultancy in the niche area I work in

Will be taking a month of work soon to focus on GMAT - it's a battle I started in February!

 

Out of curiosity: How many of you are using admissions consultants?

Good luck to everyone.

I'm talking about liquid. Rich enough to have your own jet. Rich enough not to waste time. Fifty, a hundred million dollars, buddy. A player. Or nothing. See my Blog & AMA
 

Early Action: Tuck (reapplicant) Round 1: Columbia, Kellogg, Duke, Wharton (maybe?)

  • 27 y/o white male
  • 4.5 years WE at matriculation
  • 3.0 GPA Accounting from Kelley/McCombs/Ross
  • 770 GMAT (49Q/45V; 8 IR; 6 AWA)
  • F250 corp rotational program; expat experience.

Looking to transition to management consulting. Tuck is my #1, so even if I got accepted in Columbia's ED I wouldn't take the bait until I got the decision from Tuck, which is 12/15, hence Rd. 1.

 

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